Immigration

M.G. is an immigrant from Mexico who has 3 sons, ages 19, 16 and 12. She does not speak any English and is a victim of domestic violence. M.G. resides with her husband H., (who is also an immigrant) and their two youngest children.

On a daily basis M. is mentally, physically and verbally abused by her husband who drinks heavily. H. doesn't seem to mind that the children are present while he is drinking and abusing their mother. He has done things to M. such as grabbing the steering wheel while she was driving in an attempt to run the car off of the road. He has locked her out of the home and forced her to stand outside in the cold in her nightwear. M. grew tired of all the abuse. Being threatened with a gun and told repeatedly that she was worthless led M. to ingest pills in an attempt to commit suicide.

H. was finally arrested for the threats to his wife. Meanwhile M. was referred to Rappahannock Legal Services, where the staff is assisting her with getting a U-Visa, which will allow her to legally live in the United States (using an exception to the Immigration Code that encourages immigrants to report abuse and victimization). She is currently staying in a woman's shelter with her two children, where the three of them are receiving help, guidance and most all- safety.

Rappahannock Legal Services guided M. to the resources that she is entitled to as a victim of criminal activity. She was also placed in a safe environment which she and her children deserve. H., on the other hand, is still incarcerated and may be deported back to Mexico.